Dispenser with sanitary discharge

Abstract

A dispenser for flowable product is provided having a container body defining a storage chamber. A discharge tube is provided having an inlet positioned within the storage chamber and an outlet positioned within a recess formed in the top wall of the container. A cap is releasably secured to outlet of the discharge tube and positioned within the recess when in the closed position. A removable patch is secured to the top wall and covers the recess, the discharge tube outlet and the cap. Removal of the patch exposes the cap within the recess. The sealing member is released from its closed position to expose the outlet of the discharge tube. The dispenser is selectively rotated for discharge of the product through the tube outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser for a flowable product comprising:
 a container body defining a storage chamber for retaining product, the container body having
 a side wall, 
 a top wall having a defined surface and a recess formed in the defined surface, 
 a bottom wall, and 
 an opening provided in the recess; 
   a discharge tube secured within the opening, the discharge tube having an inlet positioned within the storage chamber and an outlet positioned within the recess of the top wall, the discharge tube formed for receiving and discharging a defined dose of product from the storage chamber;   a sealing cap releasably secured to the outlet of the discharge tube and closing the tube, the sealing cap positioned within the recess in the closed position; and   a patch releasably secured to the top wall and covering the recess, the patch conforming to the defined surface of the top wall, the patch sealing the recess and the cap and discharge tube outlet,   wherein the patch may be removed from the sealing position to expose the cap, wherein removal of the cap from the discharge tube exposes the outlet, and wherein rotation of the container body from an upright position to the second position causes movement of the product from the chamber, into the inlet, through the tube and out of the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser as in  claim 1  wherein the cap is frictionally secured to the outlet of the discharge tube. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser as in  claim 1 , wherein the sealing cap is tethered to the discharge tube. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser as in  claim 1 , wherein the sealing cap is integrally formed with the discharge tube. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser as in  claim 1  wherein the discharge tube includes an outwardly projecting flange positioned adjacent the outlet, the flange stabilizing the discharge tube in the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the side wall is formed as an open ended cylinder, with the top wall attached to the one end of the cylinder and the bottom wall attached to an opposite end of the cylinder. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the discharge tube is slidingly retained within the opening in the top wall. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the patch is adhesively secured to the defined surface of the top wall. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser as in  claim 8  wherein the patch is formed from a flexible web and forming a sealing barrier. 
     
     
         10 . A dispenser for flowable product comprising:
 a container body defining a storage chamber, the body having at least one wall with a recess formed therein;   a discharge tube having an inlet communicating with the storage chamber and an outlet positioned within the recess in the wall of the container;   a sealing cap formed to be releasably secured to the outlet to close the discharge tube, the cap in the closed position located within the recess; and   a removable patch secured to the wall and covering the recess, the discharge tube outlet and the sealing cap,   wherein removal of the patch from the wall exposes the cap within the recess and release of the cap from the closed position exposes the outlet of the discharge tube, and   wherein the dispenser is selectively rotated for discharge of the product through the outlet.   
     
     
         11 . The dispenser as in  claim 10  wherein the container body further comprises a side wall and a bottom wall and wherein the wall forms the top of the body, the top wall secured to the side wall at one end thereof and the bottom wall secured to the side wall at an opposite end. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser as in  claim 11 , wherein the side wall is formed as an open ended cylinder, with the top wall attached to the one end of the cylinder and the bottom wall attached to an opposite end of the cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser as in  claim 10  further comprising an opening provided in the recess, the discharge tube is frictionally secured within the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser as in  claim 13  wherein the discharge tube includes an outwardly projecting flange positioned adjacent the outlet, the flange securing the discharge tube in the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser as in  claim 10 , wherein the discharge tube is slidingly retained within the opening. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser as in  claim 10 , wherein the sealing cap is tethered to the discharge tube. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser as in  claim 16 , wherein the sealing cap is integrally formed with the discharge tube. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser as in  claim 10 , wherein the patch is adhesively secured to the defined surface of the top wall. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser as in  claim 18  wherein the patch is a flexible web. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser as in  claim 19  wherein the flexible web is formed by a barrier film, a barrier paper or a barrier foil.